face-to-face

adverb or adjective

ˈfās-tə-ˈfās 

1

: within each other's sight or presence

met and talked face-to-face

a face-to-face consultation

2

: in or into direct contact or confrontation

came face-to-face with the problem

Synonyms of face-to-face

• personally

Examples of face-to-face in a Sentence

I won't believe that accusation until I meet with him face-to-face and ask him myself

came face-to-face with her lifelong fear of flying even before the plane left the runway

Recent Examples on the Web

The White House said Vice President JD Vance, who led the first round of historic face-to-face talks last weekend, would lead the delegation to Pakistan with envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. —Michelle L. Price, Fortune, 19 Apr. 2026

Go face-to-face with the person of the moment. —Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 17 Apr. 2026

This face-to-face interaction contrasts with online chess, where players often encounter trolling and unsportsmanlike behavior. —Sara Hansen, Denver Post, 17 Apr. 2026

As a teenager, Carter unexpectedly came face-to-face with King, who encouraged him to reconsider attending Morehouse. —Nakell Williams, CBS News, 16 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for face-to-face

• aromatase
• hydrogenase
• nitrogenase
• oligoclase
• oxygenase
• plagioclase
• polymerase
• streptokinase
• triphosphatase
• abase
• airspace
• apace

Kids Definition

face-to-face

adverb or adjective

ˌfās-tə-ˈfās

1

: within each other's close presence

met face-to-face

2

: in or into direct contact or confrontation

face-to-face with a crisis